Black weekend

I am into the color black right now. There is a number of black colored items that I have been paying attention to these past few weeks.

The first article is called a net book. It is a replica of the normal size computer notebook. Some people call it mini notebook. Hey I do not blame them for being (that includes you, Abi) outdated! Actually, I would not know myself if it was not because of the sales guy who told me about this new term.

Anyway I bought this HP mini just last weekend in Singapore for about SGD700 inclusive of upgraded RAM. I was excited about buying it because I had always wanted to own a computer with girlish color (read: floral, pastel) and feminine looking.

Instead I got this but it is okay because now I see it as having elegant color with sophisticated look.Because this amazing computer is mainly for email checking, internet surfing and online chatting, it is called net book. Just take a look at it below, not bad for a woman’s computer, huh?

I am really enjoying it now. Well, cut me some slack, okay people? This only means I get to communicate with my husband even more through this gadget. I love you, Abi. Hello, new best friend!

The second black piece that has got me writing about it is my husband’s car. It has been nothing but awesome! The car takes me anywhere I desire to go. Be they out drinking with friends, shopping at the mall or visiting families from Seremban to Penang; just about anywhere. I must admit that I have so much fun driving it.

Except that its alarm remote began to have a bit of a problem lately. I suspected that the components inside it had loosened or shifted because Abi and I had been shaking it vigorously when trying to operate it. The correct thing that we should do was replacing the battery when it did not work in the first place. So it was our own fault, not the car.

Other than that, Blackstone or nicknamed Blackie is one responsible machine. Nothing is ever wrong with it, really. We love it so dearly, it is almost creepy. We are so getting a new car. Hmm.

The third black thing would be henna. I was into coloring my finger and toe nails recently. Not only that, I was also fascinated by the idea of coloring them black. It would be fun to give my husband a mild heart attack the next time I visit him in Singapore. Tee hee.

I am loving my life right now. So much! Sure, what is not to like? Having said that, can you at least be happy for me too, please?

Egyptian weekend

First of all, I was outside the country in the last three weeks of April. Second of all, I did not get a chance to post an entry since then. Third of all, the reason for such a long pause is that I was on the all expenses paid trip by my husband to Egypt!

Abi, his parents, brother, auntie and I departed at 11.45pm from KLIA on the 15th. We flew to Cairo in an EgyptAir’s Boeing aircraft. It took us about seven hours of journey before we needed to transit in Mumbai, India for around an hour. We carried on for another four hours and reached Cairo International Airport after seven in the morning, local time.

Breakfast was being served at Malaysia Hall at the time of our arrival. So we were transported there once the flight landed. Everybody had their chance to freshen up before we continued with the program. By that I mean we just carry on with last night’s clothes we had on and put on our best smile (I did not even brush) to get through the day, really.

After that, we took a bus ride straight to the Pyramids and Sphinx in Giza. It is one of the world’s wonder and we were actually there! I must say that piece of work made me wonder about the purpose and significance of its existence. I just wondered though, not hoping for any answer because I was on holiday, remember?

At night we were brought out for a special dinner. On a cruise that was! We went on board about 6pm and the liner began sailing along the River Nile which is considered the longest river in the world, mind you.

Several forms of entertainment were already waiting for us, the Egyptian way! The first was a dance called tanoura. The man knew how to please the crowd by speaking in many different languages. He greeted us in Malay getting the Malaysian tourists all excited about it. We sure enjoyed that one.

Then, out came the belly dancer doing her thing for us. Period. When that show was over (finally!), the musical band played endless Egyptian numbers to accompany us during dinner. Dinner was different but it was good to try new food, I guess. I loved the dessert; they were simple but so sweet!

The next day, we had the privilege to visit the Imam As-Shafie Mosque. He was an Islamic scholar who led one of the four Islamic schools of thought. My way of practicing the religion is according to this man’s teachings therefore, paying my respect at his mausoleum inside this mosque was a great honor.

After lunch, it was shopping time! We went to Khan El-Khalili bazaar, the art and cultural market for buying keepsakes. I did not get anything but both Abi and his brother bought a few mementos. After that, the three of us had a drink at a coffee shop and did some people watching. I had a glass of chai or Egyptian tea while the more adventurous husband of mine had a cup of Turkish coffee. Actually, his brother dared him to so Abi had no choice but to drink it like a man. Errgh.

Then, we went to Al-Azhar University and snap pictures in front of the first Islamic university in the world. A cousin of my husband’s is currently studying in this wakaf institution. It means that all learning expenses are paid for by contributing Muslims. Students just need to prepare some pocket money so they could survive their years of studying over there.

I fell for Egyptian men almost immediately. Their gigantic figure did not intimidate me at all; instead it made me feel safe communicating with them. They wear smartly too, like Ricky Martin as Abi would put it. All thanks to the Western culture that has some influence on their dressing style. To complement their classy look, Egyptian men are friendly, gentle and helpful most of the time.

Egyptian women are the opposite of their male counterpart, though. They were not pleasant except for our tour guide because she was super nice. However, I suspected that it was her Western educational background that made her special. German is her first language so go figure. In addition, she studied Egyptian archeology thus she was the best person to show us around.

Being in the tourism industry, she has good etiquette compared to the lady immigration officer at CAI or the salesgirl at the papyrus shop or even the EgyptAir stewardesses. They were too harsh and unsympathetic towards others including the elderly people. It was funny when the Malaysian tour agent’s staffs who travel with us regarded these women as stepmothers!

Anyway Cairo was an excellent vacation spot. If you are into ancient civilization and Islamic architecture, there are just so many jaw dropping historical sites to visit. If you dig exotic form of entertainment or simple pleasure, there are always belly dancing and shisha, respectively. If you are into shopping and souvenirs, there is the souk where you could purchase nonalcoholic perfume (read: pure essence) or papyrus products, to name a few.

Of course it was hot and sunny during the day but it was still bearable. I thought it was going to be really hot but it was not. In fact, it was kind of Singapore hot minus the humidity. On the other hand, the cold nights in the Cairo were something unexpected for. My husband and I purposely left our jackets in KL thinking that we would not be using them in the Middle East. Well, we thought wrong.

Again, I must thank you, Abi for such a wonderful experience. Did I already say I love you? Well, love it all, love it all, love it all!

Lucky weekend

It was Wednesday and guess what? I had both our passports in my hand! At last, Abi and I could cross the Malaysia-Singapore border as we like. So I had my university friend (again, I know) sent me to the airport that same morning because I was going to meet my husband in Singapore! I called the office to inform about an emergency leave I had to take and I was good to go.

As witnessed by some, the separation had almost killed me. A little longer, I could die due to breathing difficulty and broken heart. So landing in Changi Airport that day had never been happier for me. I even bought myself some candy. Jellybean, anyone?

Although Abi was surprised by my coming over news (and so was my mom-in-law), he took the afternoon off and we had lunch together. Then we went home to talk about how we had missed each other and what was going on in our separate lives.

By the way my husband had already booked my flight back to KL that evening. We left home a bit earlier to have dinner at the airport. And Popeyes Chicken had never tasted better than that night, no kidding.

There was an hour delay of the flight I was boarding, though. I did not mind at all because I could spend a few minutes more with Abi. We had coffee, talked some more and finally it was time to leave. However, fret not because my husband will be coming home for the weekend, yay!

On Friday when I was updating my mp3 player files, I came across this nice song. I never heard it before because I am not a current music follower (sad, I know) but I fell in love with it the minute I listened to it for the first time.

I felt that this particular song had something and everything to do with my life. At least I would interpret it like that. So here is how this song is connected to me and my husband:

Lucky by Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat

Do you hear me? I’m talking to you
Across the water, across the deep blue ocean

Under the open sky, oh my, baby I'm trying

Boy I hear you in my dreams (every single night, Abi)

Feel your whisper across the sea

Keep you with me in my heart

You make it easier when life gets hard

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend (I am his)

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again (Malaysia or Singapore)

Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

They don't know how long it takes (since January 14, 2001)

Waiting for a love like this (let me tell you: he is a catch!)

Every time we say goodbye (make that every weekend)

I wish we had one more kiss (so true, darn!)

I wait for you, I promise you, I will (I do, I do, I do)

I'm lucky I'm in love with my best friend (he sure is mine)

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

Lucky we're in love every way

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed (KL or Pasir Ris)

Lucky to be coming home someday

And so I'm sailing through the sea (Straits of Johor)

To an island where we'll meet (Singapore)

You'll hear the music, feel the air (more like flight announcement)

I put a flower in your hair (okay that is just exaggerating)

And though the breeze through the trees (Singapore is that windy)

Move so pretty, you're all I see (would you look at him? Sigh)

As the world keep spinning round

You hold me right here right now (and take all troubles away)

Lucky I'm in love with my best friend

Lucky to have been where I have been

Lucky to be coming home again

Lucky we're in love in every way

Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed

Lucky to be coming home someday

Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh

So the tune became last weekend’s theme song. I sang it to him in the car, on the sofa in front of the TV, from the bathroom and even in bed. I was like falling in love with him for the first time all over again. I meant every single word, Abi. Then again, you already know that. I just hope I did not break your eardrum, though.

Hey Abi, Happy 1st Wedding Anniversary! It has been a year, woo hoo! Just do not forget you still owe me that special dinner. And I owe you, well, I owe you a lot of things. So you will have to keep me around forever to let me finish making it up to you, alright?

I love you, smart guy. I cannot wait to see you again this coming Thursday!

Trying weekends

Last weekend marked the third weekend that I had not seen Abi. It was a really trying experience for me. I was curious of why God's tests were unbearable to me this time. I broke down to tears so easily that I felt it was difficult to breathe.

I missed my husband so much until my brain began to corrupt my own idea of togetherness in a marriage. Of whether there is a need for me to keep living away from him or would all dilemmas be solved if I leave KL for good.

I began crying Friday night. It got worst on Saturday. However, the worst would be Sunday because I suddenly woke up about five in the morning and began to panic thinking about Abi not being around. I quickly packed fresh clothes in a bag and got out from the house in my pajama pants and t-shirt. I started my husband's car and drove towards a university friend's house. I wake her through a call on the way over there. Once I arrived I told her how much I could bear staying in my own home for I missed my husband so much.

I got out again, with her for early breakfast and we talked it out. Then we went back to her home watching TV and I had a good laugh. I left her house at about 12pm to a mall in order to clear my mind. Although in a state of depression, I managed to buy myself a pair of jeans and two t-shirts. Retail therapy really could do wonders to a girl's worry; there was no doubt about that!

I must say it was a bit humiliating but I never regret doing what I did the other day. That said I hope to move on with my life as a stronger woman. The only thing I need is constant support from family, friends and most importantly, Abi. You are the perfect husband a woman could ask for, ever! Your courage, patience and trust in choosing me as a wife only leaves me admiring you even more.

I hereby promise to never take you for granted and that I shall love you unconditionally. I cannot wait to see you and only God knows how much I miss you. This is the greatest test of strength, at least for me. After all, what is life without a few hiccups.

To a friend who pulled me back to the ground when I am about to lose faith in myself, thank you very much. I put a special thought in you while writing this entry. It was like a knock in the head when you make me realize that I cannot be left alone. It was kind of embarrassing for me as I always thought that I was and proud to be a solitary cat. Looks like I was dead wrong. Ouch!

You know who you are, buddy. I also learn that you face many challenges in the quest for that perfect soul mate yourself. I feel you and my heart goes out to you. I pray hard that you will soon find happiness in your respectful life. God bless.

Weekend alone

I know I had been quiet for a while now. Life was no fun for me because Abi was not around. My husband had to stay in Singapore and I need to wait in KL. The reason was that we must surrender both our passports to an embassy due to some visa matters.

So that was why I did not write as nothing really happened last weekend. Except that on Saturday, I sent my husband’s car for a maintenance service at Toyota Centre in PJ. After killing about five hours over there, I passed more time at a mall where I bought four pieces of garments from La Senza. Kindly blame the shop for having a sale, Abi.

In the evening I went to my mom’s house where she was hosting a dinner welcoming distant grandparents from Medan. Yes, my ancestors hailed from Indonesia so I still got living relatives whom I have yet to meet them. Anyway I felt sorry for my husband because we had tomato rice, one of his favorites, that evening. It was scrumptious, as usual.

After dinner, the family chat revolved around ghost stories. Aunties and cousins were kind enough to share their encounter experiences. I am the biggest scaredy cat when it comes to unseen entities. Goosebumps were all over me and my eyes were watery hearing these creepy tales. Darn, I was going back to an empty house later.

I braved going home that night although it rained again and all the way. I refused to sleep at my mom’s for I had a thousand things to do the next day. Thank God I arrived home safe and sound around ten minutes before midnight. Phew!

So on Sunday I slept in late, watched TV, did a two week’s laundry, watched TV, listened to mp3, watched TV, scrubbed the toilets, watched TV, swept the floor, watched TV, took an afternoon nap, watched TV, washed a whole week’s dishes and watched more TV. Boy was I busy.

At night I decided to eat out since there was nothing to cook for dinner (read: excuses). My target was the nearest KFC where I had chicken. I reached home on a full stomach but had trouble sleeping that night. I should…have not…had that…snack plate…zzz…